The Charter, which is seen as a critical part of the health reforms, formally recognises the value of all health care workers in the Health and Community and Public Services Sector and their right to be supported to carry out their duties in safe workplaces. It also underlines the importance of the worker and union participation for the realisation of the Charter.
The planned changes to the health system that were the impetus for the Charter were announced by government in April 2021 and a Transition Unit was set up by Cabinet to implement the reforms.
Two new entities Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) and Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) were established in July 2022 and in August 2023 the then Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall endorsed the Charter.
The PSA's contribution
The PSA played a critical role in developing the Charter. Shortly after the health reforms were announced, the PSA founded the PSA Health Delegates Working Group made up
of members and delegates from the former District Health Board (DHB) sector and Community Public Services (CPS) sector.
The working group, as well as the Health and CPS Sector Committees, Te Tira Hauora, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina, the Deaf and Disabled network, the Mental Health and Addiction Committee and the Pasefika Network made significant contributions to the main structural reforms and the development of the Charter.
PSA members persisted with the Charter work through all the disruptions, pressures, staffing shortages, and uncertainty created in hospitals and in the community by the continued spread of COVID-19.
As a result of this effort, PSA members and delegates achieved some crucial wins for health workers by ensuring the Charter:
- Underlines that workers and their unions are treated fairly and with respect and dignity
- Upholds the importance of workers and their union
- Supports meaningfully involving unions in decision-making
- Values strong workplace relations between organisations and unions
- Holds organisations accountable for implementing the Charter.
Using the Charter
The Charter has the potential to be a mechanism to create a better, more equitable, sustainable and integrated health system. Stacey Muir, a member of the PSA Working Group and a delegate on the Health Sector Committee says, “The Working Group has always advocated that the Charter should be established as the foundational base for Te Whatu Ora so that Charter values are adhered to with any change that is implemented. Had this been in place the development of Te Whatu Ora would have been smoother sailing! PSA delegates know the value of the worker voice in an organisation, the sooner the Charter is implemented the better so this can be achieved.”
Michelle Troup, another member of the Working Group and delegate on the CPS Sector Committee adds: “To create a truly integrated and joined up health system we need to treat workers the same. Currently we (CPS workers) are not valued the same or treated the same as our colleagues in hospitals. The Charter is also our Charter. And we will use it! Treating workers decently goes hand in hand with high quality, joined up services.”
The Charter is a big step forward but it is only the first step on a longer journey. While health organisations are accountable for implementing the Charter, it will be up to union members to keep the pressure on these organisations to act on their responsibility.
To ensure the aims of the Charter become a reality, union members will need to use it to organise, to improve collective bargaining outcomes; advance health, safety
and wellbeing provisions; and to push for safe staffing levels, participation in decision-making and for a physically, mentally and culturally safe working environment.
The Charter is a powerful tool if we choose to use it!
A values-based approach
The Charter sets out values (the pou) and principles which guide individual, team and organisational behaviour:
Wairuatanga
Working with heart, the strong sense of purpose and commitment to service that health workers bring to their mahi.
Rangatiratanga
As organisations we support our people to lead. We will know our people; we will grow those around us and be accountable with them in contributing to Pae Ora for all.
Whanaungatanga
We are a team, and together a team of teams. Regardless of our role, we work together for a common purpose. We look out for each other and keep each other safe.
Te Korowai Āhuru
A cloak which seeks to provide safety and comfort to the workforce.
